I got an idea to make my own tumbler. I'm planning on using 12" PVC pipe, Adding 4 fins for agitation, using steel rollers to pivot on but I cannot find out what RPM the motor needs to run at to do a good job. I guess I could buy one but if I save a buck here (the one I'm looking at is $100) then I can get more dies and stuff

I doubt there is an exact RPM value for something like this, but 100 RPM would be a good place to start.

The last home-built tumbler I saw. The builder made the drum out of wood &lt;!&gt; He used eight boards to make an octagon, then added round ends of 3/4" plywood to give the drum something to turn on. A hinged lid(with a good latch) in one end completed the drum.

By making the drum octagon, no stirring "paddles" were needed on the inside.

Hows that for cheap? &lt;VBG&gt;

Jim

------------------
Lay up some blackpowder and flints
The rest we can build, if need be

Maybe I'm missing something here, but wouldn't it be less expensive just to buy a tumbler from Midway, or one of the other places? Or is it a case of you need one of a special size? Just curious.
Paul B.

I suppose that buying one is a choice,I just wanted to see if I could make one. I also have the vibrating unit out of a messaging foot soaker,thought I'd give it a go to see what I could make as a vibrating type with that. I like to Putter!

A friend of mine gave me a 1 horse motor. I used a 16 " PVC heavy walled pipe and used 3 1/4" plexigalss paddels that I screwed with wood screws. I had to experiment with a pulley set up on the motor to get the speed right, it now turns about 60 rpm. I used 2 rubber O rings to drive the pulleys and set the drum on 2 half inch aluminum rods one of which was driven by the pulley from the motor. I built an aluminum framework to bring it all together and then screwed this to a piece of plywood and put 2 handles on it to make it more portable.It works well and I have no money in it as I used 4 1/2 inch bearings that I already had.

i like the idea of the wooden tub. If you drill holes in one end, jack up your pickup truck, take off a wheel and bolt the tub on, start off in first gear and cruise for a while (be sure to block your wheels) check it out after a while and you may decide 2nd or 3rd gear will get the job done a little sooner, but with gas prices like they are today.....I think I'g go with midway

I have a set of instructions on how to make a tumble out of a large plastic bowel and a motor with an off set weight. Email me off the list if you want a copy. I can eithe email it to you or send it snail mail.

Also, if you really want to tumble in style, use a cement mixer. My buddy is a commercial reloader and uses one of those $250 jobs from Harbor Frieght (actually he has three). He simply made pylwood covers, dumps in about a five gallon pail full of brass and another five gallon pail of media and let's it rip. Works great.

PS&gt; I have also been know to toss brass into old nylons and throw them into the dish washer. Just be sure not to do this with the dishes and clean out the washer afterwards.

------------------
Joe Portale
Tucson, Arizona Territory

"Those who turn their swords into plow shears,
end up plowing the fields of those who didn't"
Thomas Jefferson

I have a set of instructions on how to make a tumble out of a large plastic bowel and a motor with an off set weight. Email me off the list if you want a copy. I can eithe email it to you or send it snail mail.

Also, if you really want to tumble in style, use a cement mixer. My buddy is a commercial reloader and uses one of those $250 jobs from Harbor Frieght (actually he has three). He simply made pylwood covers, dumps in about a five gallon pail full of brass and another five gallon pail of media and let's it rip. Works great.

PS&gt; I have also been know to toss brass into old nylons and throw them into the dish washer. Just be sure not to do this with the dishes and clean out the washer afterwards.

------------------
Joe Portale
Tucson, Arizona Territory

"Those who turn their swords into plow shears,
end up plowing the fields of those who didn't"
Thomas Jefferson

Joe Portalo wrote:
"I have a set of instructions on how to make a tumble out of a large plastic bowel and a motor with an off set weight."

Interesting..... Back in my younger days when money was a bit more scarce than now, I thought up the exact same sort of design for a brass tumbler. It works so well I've never felt the need to replace it. Still using it 10 years later, and I shoot a LOT more now than I did then.

I'll try to take a digital photo sometime soon and post it here for all to see.

i made one out of a 1 gallon paint can,used an old electic rotisserie motor end built a wood frame to hold it together. the can has 3 alluminium fins bolted inside,i used short pieces of treaded rods bolded at each end of the can to support the drum .Works fine for me.
Danny

This email link is to reach site administrators for assistance, if you cannot access TFL via other means. If you are a TFL member and can access TFL, please do not use this link; instead, use the forums (like Questions, Suggestions, and Tech Support) or PM an appropriate mod or admin.

If you are experiencing difficulties posting in the Buy/Sell/Trade subforums of TFL, please read the "sticky" announcement threads at the top of the applicable subforum. If you still feel you are qualified to post in those subforums, please contact "Shane Tuttle" (the mod for that portion of TFL) via Private Message for assistance.

This email contact address is not an "Ask the Firearms Expert" service. Such emails will be ignored. If you have a firearm related question, please register and post it on the forums.